Going straight from high school to big-time college hockey is a route very few individuals take, but count Matt Anderson as one of them.

Six months removed from putting the finishing touches on a rewarding prep career at Holy Family Catholic High School, Anderson joined the University of Minnesota Duluth program last fall and was immediately thrown into the proverbial fire. He was among five other rookie defensemen who cracked the starting lineup on opening weekend and pretty much patrolled the Bulldog blue line on a regular basis right up on through last April's national championship conquest. 

"The first two things that come to mind when I think of Matty is skater and competitor," says UMD Associate Head Coach Jason Herter. "As is the case with any 18-year old, Matt had to deal with some growing pains but I thought he developed a real calmness and confidence to his game during the course of his freshman season. From that first weekend to the last one, it was night and day."

Anderson, a native of Shakopee, Minn., also got it done in the classroom one year ago as evident by his qualifying as a National Collegiate Hockey Conference Distinguished Scholar Athlete.  

HIS FAVORITES
Opponent: North Dakota
Opponent Arena: Lawson Ice Arena (Western Michigan)
Road Trip: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Professional Athlete: Tatum Monod
Professional Team: Minnesota Wild
College Course: Business Law
Pastime: Muskie fishing
Prized Possession: My tackle box
Book (Author): The Call of the Wild (Jack London)
Television Show: Ozark
Actor/Actress: Jim Carrey or Chris Farley/Jennifer Aniston
Movie: Dumb and Dumber
Singer/Group: The Eagles
Food: Sushi
Restaurant: Hanabi
Video Game: Fortnite
Vacation Spot: Lake of the Woods
Mobile App: Craigslist

UP CLOSE
Why I Chose UMD: The location of the city (near the woods and lakes) and the rich hockey tradition
First Played Competitive Hockey: Age 6
Hockey Strength/Weakness: My skating ability/Making the right play quickly
Game Day Ritual: I take a nap.
Most Memorable UMD Hockey Moment: Winning the 2018 NCAA title
Best Player I've Ever Faced: (Former Minnesota forward) Casey Mittelstadt
Pet Peeve: Wet socks
Biggest Fear: Poisonous reptiles
First Job (Age): As a valet driver (16)
Person I'd Most Like to Meet: Seth Feider
Why I Wear No. 3: I wore it growing up and it was also my dad's number.
What Most People Don't Know About Me: I love Musky fishing.
Something I Never Leave Home Without: My contacts
If I Could Change One Thing About Myself: I'd have better eyesight.
Sport I'd Like to Try Someday: Rally car racing or boardercross
Influences on My Athletic Career: My parents
The Best Thing About College Hockey: Playing in front of big crowds and the loud student sections.
My Advice to an Aspiring Young Athlete: Never give up and work your tail off!
Post-UMD Plans: Hopefully play hockey for as long as I can and then open a fishing lodge.